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Advent is nigh! What is Advent all about? Come join Father Josh during the Christian Formation time on December 7th, 14th, and 21st in an exploration of the rich season of Advent. Father Josh promises that it will be informative and fun; there will be talk of the arbitrary nature of time, what God is really up to, and comic books. You do not want to miss this opportunity!

We invite any and all to our annual leaf raking event on Saturday, December 6th at 8 am and should be finished by 10:30 am. If you have a rake, blower, and/or tarp, please bring it. Coffee and doughnuts will be served. Rain date will be December 13th. Come enjoy fun and fellowship with your fellow brothers and sisters. Thanks, Thea Mayne ([email protected], 704-609-2859) and Ed Sale ([email protected] 704-661-1995).

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU - for taking all 100 angels of of the Angel Tree! In true St. Martin's fashion, you, once again, stepped up to show your support of our brothers and sisters on the Cheyenne River Reservation! Your support is greatly appreciated.

Here are the answers to some questions that came up as folks were choosing their angel:

DEADLINE for returning the gifts is Sunday, December 7 (sooner is even better). A box will be available in the courtyard every Sunday morning to collect your gifts. 

No wrapping is necessary - this will make it easier for mother Margaret to sort the gifts

Yes, by all means you can buy more than one present - personally, I have filled a box with small, inexpensive things I've gotten on clearance, at Harris Teeter, in the dollar section of Target, at the Dollar Store, and at Party City. 

If you were unable to select an angel from the tree, you can still participate. We are collecting small, inexpensive gifts (for children and adults) that can be shipped out to the Cheyenne River Reservation. The Angel Tree collection will continue through December 7th.

Questions? Contact Terry Ertel: 704-575-5454 or [email protected].

Augustine Literacy Project is excited to announce a Winter 2015 tutor training class! 

 

Through this project, tutors provide one-on-one literacy instruction to low-income first and second graders in Charlotte. If you are interested in becoming a tutor or would like more information, visit the website:  augustine.st-peters.org.

 

The SD Ministry Partnership Angel Tree is here!  This year, at the request of Mother Margaret (priest on the Cheyenne River Reservation), we are expanding our angels to include adults. The gifts will be shipped to Mother Margaret and she will distribute them all. Each angel on the tree will be marked with either "girl" or "boy" (and an age) or "female adult" or "male adult." Mother Margaret has requested small gifts please. Ideas include: coloring books, crayons, craft kits, sewing supplies, coin purses, wallets, hair accessories, fishing lures and accessories, small puzzles, socks, hand lotion, nail polish, tights for little girls, packs of gum or lifesavers, small flashlights. Questions? Contact Terry Ertel ([email protected] or 704-575-5454)

St. Martin's Annual Women's Retreat will be the weekend of April 24-26 in Valle Crucis, NC. Registration forms and more information coming soon. For questions, contact Mandy Dobrich at [email protected] or 704-779-2999.

Children's Worship (CW) is a worship service for children in Kindergarten through 4th Grade. Participants follow the wooden cross down the center aisle after the Collect and return to their parents during the Peace. CW is led by parish volunteers (3 adults) in the Children's Chapel located on the lower level of the Parish House. Their Order of Worship includes music, readings and responses, the Lord's Prayer, Gospel reading, and prayer circle.

 In addition to the coloring clipboards located in the big, wicker trunk, please take advantage of the "Look & Find" booklets located in a basket on the table next to the clipboards. I've attached photos so that you know what to look for! Please note that you will need to sit near the stained glass window of the corresponding booklet your child chooses and that info is located on the red cover. 

You might also want to consider having your child go through the bulletin, find the hymn numbers, and then mark the hymnal accordingly. Book marks will be located on the table with the "Look & Find" basket.

CW is when children in grades K-4 leave the service for their own worship service and return at the Peace. 

CF is childcare provided for infants-preschoolers at 9-10:15 so that parents may go to Christian Formation and during the church service, 10:15 until communion time. CF will be staffed entirely by hired sitters on November 9th. 

Children and Volunteers Invited

to

Saturday, December 20

10:00-1:00 pm

Practice, fun, and lunch included!

Please RSVP to Lillian Richards by 12/15/14

St. Martin's will launch its 19th year of caring for the homeless via Room in the Inn on Tuesday, December 2nd. This year our December-March effort to provide compassionate care for our homeless neighbors will last 18 weeks, two longer than in past years. 

If you are interested in volunteering for Room in the Inn, please see the table in the Fellowship Courtyard after the 10:30 service and talk to Gainor Eisenlohr or Nan Robertson. We will be glad to answer any questions.  

Room in the Inn is looking for gently used cotton or fleece blankets for our guests. We need twin and double sized blankets. (No wool, please.)

In partnership with the St. Martin's Preschool we will be collecting gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves. This goes hand-in-hand with the hand warmers we've been collecting (the collection box for those will remain until after Christmas)! Gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves for all ages will be appreciated! Let's all do our part to help keep our brothers and sisters on the Cheyenne River Reservation warm this winter! A collection box will be available on the bench outside of the church office. If you have questions, please contact Terrry Ertel: [email protected] or 704-575-5454

We are collecting HAND WARMERS for our SD Ministry Partners on the Cheyenne River Reservation. Temperatures often fall well below zero, and Mother Margaret can think of lots of uses for hand warmers. A collection box is located on the bench outside of the church office.  Questions? Contact Terry Ertel [email protected] or 704-575-5454. 

Have you lost your St. Martin's name tag or never ordered one? Don't delay, order one right away!!

Print your name on the request form found on the clipboard in the Narthex or email Michele Nichols at [email protected], to place your order. The name tag is free for the first order!